Background:
Achin is a district in the south of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, bordering on Pakistan. Its population is 100% Pashtun. Achin is home to the Shinwari tribe, one of the largest Pashtun tribes. It was a stronghold of the Mujaheddin during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.The Islamic State (IS) -- or so called Daesh -- has chosen the Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province as its headquarters for a variety of reasons. The district’s proximity to the Durand Line, a contested borderline haunted by militants of all stripes, and easy weapons and logistical supply routes seem to have driven the rebel group’s choice of its HQ. After a year of fierce fighting, the situation in Achin has become somewhat better. Haji Ghalib Mujahid, the district’s administrative chief, said Momand and Shadali Bazar areas were still under the influence of Daesh, while other localities were being controlled by Afghan forces.(20160824)
Parts of Achin, Kot and Haska Mina districts have fallen to Daesh after security forces cleared the areas and were shifted to other parts of the province.(20160919)
"Achin Talc Deposit" is a occurrence deposit site in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. It is a deposit, located in the Konar District mining district and is not considered to be of world-class significance.The Global Witness organization has reported that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Khurasan (ISIS-K) is extracting Talc from the deposits/mines in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. According to a new report by the Global Witness, citing unnamed sources, the group has brought in foreign engineers from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and installed heavy machinery at the mining sites in Nangarhar province. The sources have also added that phones are banned and locals are searched and monitored by the groups near the mines. The report also adds that the majority of talc extracted from Nangarhar mines are smuggled across to Pakistan at the Torkham border where it can eventually be shipped out to other markets.(20180522)